Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Waterbury Astronaut Facing Problems in Space

Rick Mastracchio is on board the International Space Station. NASA says the pumps to the cooling system shut down, and experts on the ground were trying to troubleshoot. (Published Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013)

If he does, hundreds of students in Waterbury might get to see it. Eleven schools were following the journey of the Brass City native since he launched Nov. 6.

McManamy said her brother has dealt with problems on past trips in space, and told NBC Connecticut he was ready for the challenge. “They’re trained for it...he's trained for last three or four years and they’re well prepared for everything they have to do,” his sister added.